Dare Valley Country Park Lakes Trail
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Dare Valley Country Park occupies 500 acres above Aberdare that were once worked by nineteen pits and drift mines, including the Bwllfa Colliery, and its wide valley paths give a dog room to run once clear of the tarmac by the visitor centre. Opened in 1973, it was the first country park in England and Wales created from industrial land, and preserved coal trams and pit winding gear stand among the grassland and woodland that have grown back over the old workings. This 4.8km circuit from the visitor centre follows gravel paths around the park's two lakes, linked by weirs, before joining a riverside path along the river Dare with views up the valley to Craig y Darren. The ground undulates gently over the reclaimed colliery land, with modest climbing rather than any sustained ascent.
This is a dog friendly park with plenty of space for a dog to run, and much of the walk beyond the visitor centre paths offers high off-lead potential once the tarmac gives way to open valley ground. The lakes and river give dogs a place to cool off and drink, and the wooded sections provide shade in summer, though the surfaced paths nearest the centre can be slippery in icy weather. Livestock is not usually encountered on this lower valley route, though sheep do graze the surrounding hill farms, so recall is worth checking near the park boundary. The Country Park Cafe by the visitor centre welcomes walkers after a wet dog, and there is free parking on site.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Country Park Cafe and toilets at the visitor centre.
- Parking
- Free car park at the Dare Valley Country Park visitor centre.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Dare Valley Country Park Lakes Trail, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dare Valley Country Park Lakes Trail dog friendly?
Dare Valley Country Park is a great choice for a day out with your dog, earning a solid 8/10 on our dog friendly rating. The 500-acre park offers plenty of space to explore, with two lakes and the river Dare giving dogs somewhere to splash and cool off. The Country Park Cafe by the visitor centre is also happy to welcome walkers with wet dogs in tow.
Can dogs be off lead at Dare Valley Country Park Lakes Trail?
There's good off-lead potential here once you move beyond the tarmac paths nearest the visitor centre, where the open valley ground gives dogs room to stretch their legs properly. Livestock isn't usually encountered on this lower valley route, but sheep do graze the surrounding hill farms, so it's worth having a reliable recall as you approach the park boundary.
What should I know before visiting Dare Valley Country Park Lakes Trail with my dog?
The surfaced paths close to the visitor centre can be slippery in icy conditions, so it's worth taking care underfoot in colder months. The 4.8km circuit is fairly gentle, with only modest undulation across the reclaimed colliery land, making it a manageable outing for most dogs. Parking is free at the visitor centre, and there are toilets and a cafe on site for the humans.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk6.8 mi awayFour Waterfalls Walk (Ystradfellte)
Powys
Four spectacular waterfalls in a magical limestone valley with abundant water access; slippery paths near the falls and sheep in adjacent fields require care.
Walk6.9 mi awaySgwd yr Eira Waterfall Walk, Brecon Beacons
Powys
A dog friendly waterfall walk in Bannau Brycheiniog Waterfall Country, with the unique experience of walking behind the cascading curtain of Sgwd yr Eira.
Walk7 mi awayGarwnant Forest and Llwyn-on Reservoir Circular
Merthyr Tydfil
A forest and reservoir circuit where dogs run free through 400 acres of Welsh woodland above Llwyn-on Reservoir, with a dog friendly cafe to finish.
Walk8.8 mi awayParc Cwm Darran and Ogilvie Lake
Caerphilly
A Rhymney Valley park on a reclaimed colliery site where dogs get off lead time on quiet paths, circling Ogilvie Lake and an old mineral railway.
Walk9.7 mi awayTaf Fechan Horseshoe Ridge Walk
Merthyr Tydfil
A serious mountain day linking four Brecon Beacons summits with real exposure and technical terrain; scarce water and limited off-lead make this demanding for dogs.
Walk10 mi awayPen y Fan from the Neuadd Reservoir
Powys
A spectacular dog friendly horseshoe taking in the four highest peaks of the Bannau Brycheiniog from a quieter southern start point.